Photographic apparatus



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ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,506,349 PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Richard J. Chen, Winchester, Mass., assignor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 6, 1967, Ser. No. 651,553 Int. Cl. G03b 27/70, 29/00 US. Cl. 355-29 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Photographic apparatus of the type comprehended by the present invention generally includes means for exposing successive areas of a light-sensitive, image-recording sheet to light from a subject, such as a document, page of a book, photograph, etc.; cutting the exposed image-recording sheet into sections each including an exposed area; and treating each of the sections with a liquid processing agent to form a visible (positive) image of the subject. The exposure system of the apparatus generally comprises means for supporting successive sections of the photosensitive sheet in position for exposure, means for locating a subject in position for exposure, means for illuminating the subject, and an optical system including an objective lens for producing an image of the subject on the section of the photosensitive sheet positioned for exposure. The processing system includes means for severing each exposed section of the photosensitive sheet from the remainder of the sheet and applying a liquid processing agent to the exposed area of each section to effect visible image formation.

In photographic apparatus of the foregoing type a section of the photosensitive sheet is exposed for producing a latent image of the subject on the photosensitive sheet. The exposed section which has its leading edge adjacent a knife and anvil and its trailing edge adjacent feed rolls is then advanced by the rolls past a knife and anvil to a liquid applicator where a processing liquid is applied to the exposed section. The sheet is advanced past the liquid applicator until its leading edge is detected by a switch whereupon the knife is activated to sever said section from said sheet. Since the distance between the leading and trailing ends of the section exposed is equal to the length of the path of travel of the exposed section between the knife and the switch, it is readily apparent that activation of the knife is prevented until the rolls have advanced the exposed section a predetermined distance. However, should the above apparatus be set to produce multiple copies, it is possible that a first exposed section could be holding the knife activator switch in the closed position, i.e., the switch remains closed until the section has passed the switch, while a second exposed section is being advanced by the rolls past the knife or cutter. Under these conditions the second section would be shreaded by the cutter.

Another problem with photographic apparatus of the foregoing type is ensuring that the entire sheet is advanced through the apparatus, i.e., a section of the sheet near the trailing edge is not left in the apparatus, thereby ob 3,506,349 Patented Apr. 14, 1970 structing the path of travel which sections of a newly installed sheet must travel. For example, if the length of the photosensitive sheet between the cutter and the end of the sheet were greater than the distance between the cutter and the drive rolls, then a section of said sheet substantially equal to the length between the drive rolls and the end of the sheet would remain inside the apparatus.

Also, in photographic apparatus of the foregoing type it is desirable to provide some kind of means to indicate to the operator when the photosensitive sheet in the apparatus needs to be replaced.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide, in photographic apparatus of the type described, novel and improved means to prevent the premature activation of a cutter until an exposed portion of a photosensitive sheet has been advanced a predetermined distance past said cutter.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means, as described, to ensure that every section of said photosensitive sheet is advanced through said apparatus so as to provide a clear path of travel for subsequent sections of another photosensitive sheet.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means, as described, for indicating a sheet reloading condition.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the follow ing detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional, elevational view of photographic document-copying apparatus embodying the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic presentation of a circuit embodied in the instant invention.

The invention is especially designed for incorporation in photographicv apparatus in which light-sensitive, imagerecording sheet material is exposed and processed to produce visible images. The apparatus may take the form of a camera, document duplication apparatus, a printer, or the like, for performing any of a variety of image-forming processes. For purposes of illustration, the invention is described and shown as incorporated in document-copying apparatus adapted to be employed with an integral image-recording and image-receiving sheet comprising a support such as paper, at least one layer containing a light-sensitive material such as a silver halide emulsion, and an outer layer comprising a translucent material such as finely divided titanium dioxide, dispersed in a suitable permeable colloidal carrier or matrix, such as gelatin, which is permeable to an aqueous processing liquid. The translucent pigment may be incorporated in a layer containing a light-sensitive material and/or may comprise a separate outer layer which may also contain silver precipitating nuclei and is sufficiently transparent to permit exposure of the light-sensitive layer therebeneath, while at the same time being sufficiently opaque to provide a requisite background for a positive silver image transfer thereto by diffusion and to mask a negative image formed thereunder. Processing of the exposed image-recording sheet is accomplished by applying an aqueous liquid including a silver halide developer and a silver halide complexing agent to the side of the sheet opposite the support so as to impregnate the light-sensitive layer with sufficient processing liquid to produce a positive silvertransfer image on the surface of the translucent layer.

Combined image-recording and image-receiving sheet materials of the foregoing type and processes performed therewith are described in detail in copending US. application of Edwin H. Land, Ser. No. 519,995, and in US. application of Edwin H. Land et al., Ser. No.

519,884, both filed on Jan. 11, 1966.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 1 of the drawings wherein there is illustrated document-copying apparatus embodying the invention. The document copier comprises means for exposing successive areas of a combined imagerecording and image-receiving sheet, severing successive sections of the sheet, each containing an exposed area, from the remainder of the sheet, and means for processing the successive sections of the sheet including means for applying a nonviscous (e.g., viscosity of water) liquid reagent to one side of each of the sections.

The apparatus comprises exposure means including a window in the upper Wall of the housing of the apparatus for supporting an original, e.g., document, in position for exposure to light from lamps 12 positioned adjacent reflectors 13 and mounted within an enclosed chamber separated from the remainder of the interior of the housing by a lower wall 14 and a side wall 16. Light reflected from an original positioned on window 10 is transmitted by a conventional objective lens, part of a lens and shutter assembly 18 toward a focal plane in the apparatus at which the lens forms an image of the original. The optical system includes, in addition to the lens of assembly 18, a mirror 20 positioned beneath the lens for reflecting light toward one side of the housing and means for supporting a light-sensitive, image-recording sheet at the focal plane of the lens.

A supply of light-sensitive, image-recording sheet material, designated 22, is provided coiled on a spool 24 in the lower portion of the apparatus behind mirror 20. The means for positioning successive sections of the sheet in position for exposure include a support plate 26 and juxtaposed transparent plate 28 located in a vertical plane with the surface of the transparent plate located substantially at the focal plane of the lens. Sheet 22 is withdrawn from spool 24 and moved upwardly between plates 26 and 28 by a pair of juxtaposed feed rolls 30 located beneath and adjacent to the lower edges of the plates.

A rotary knife 32 and anvil 34 are mounted above and adjacent the upper edges of plates 26 and 28 for severing successive exposed sections of the image-recording sheet as each section is advanced upwardly from between the plates between the knife and anvil. In the operation of the apparatus, a section of the image-recording sheet positioned between plates 26 and 28 is advanced, following exposure, upwardly past the knife between a backing roll 70 and a liquid'applicatormeans 54 and then through a sheet conveyor system designed to deliver the sheets from the applicator to an exit opening in the housing of the apparatus and to provide a delivery period of sufficient duration to permit completion of the processing of the image-recording sheet within a dark environment. Backing roll 70 preferably has a surface having a high coefficient of friction, e.g., an elastomer such as polyurethane. Means are provided for rotating roll 70 (in a counterclockwise direction) for supporting and moving a sheet past the capillary channel in applicator 54. The sheet delivery system includes two sets of endless conveyor belts 36 and 38. The belts 36 are mounted on support rolls 40 and 42, and belts 38 extend from support rolls 44, juxtaposed with support roll 42, upwardly in juxtaposition with belts 36 and around an enlarged drum or discs 46 and thence back to support roll 44 by way of support rolls 48 spaced around the periphery of drum or discs 46. Appropriate means (not shown) are provided for rotating the various rolls and drum or discs 46. The conveyor belts 38 which contact the side of the sheets to which the liquid is applied are preferably quite narrow in order to limit the area of contact between the belts and the sheet, and in the preferred form may comprise conventional O-rings.

The housing of the apparatus includes an opening 50 through which the processed sheets are delivered and a pair of guides 52 extending from the opening upwardly toward the points of tangency between belts 38 and discs 46 for guiding the sheets from between the belts and discs downwardly through opening 50.

Rotation of all of the sheet-advancing rolls and belts is coordinated to ensure movement of the sheet material at a constant predetermined speed particularly during processing, including liquid application and the subsequent processing period.

Mounted coaxially of drum or discs 46 is a switch box 56 having detecting members 58, 60. Switch box 56 contains switches 62, 64 connected respectively with detecting members 58, 60. Detecting members 58, 60 are positioned in the path of travel of each section of sheet 22 and are engageable by the leading edge of each section of sheet 22 for actuating the respective switches. Mounted adjacent feed rolls 30 is a third detecting member 66 connected to a switch 68. Detecting member 66 is also located in the path of travel of sheet 22 and is responsive to the approach of the trailing edge of sheet 22 toward rolls 30 for actuating switch 68. Switch 68 has a pair of normally open contacts and a pair of normally closed contacts. As shown in FIG. 2, when the sheet material 22 is held taut between rolls 30 and the spool 24, the normally open pair of contacts are maintained in a closed position and the normally closed pair of contacts are maintained in the open position. This is due to the tautness of sheet 22 maintaining a pressure on detecting member 66. When sheet 22 is substantially exhausted, its trailing edge will fall from spool 24 thereby removing the tautness and allowing detecting member 66 to move the two pairs of contacts to their original position. Stated otherwise, detecting member 66 detects the approach of the trailing edge of sheet 22 toward the rolls 30 to change the position of the two pairs of contacts in switch 68.

A clear understanding of the function of detecting members 58, 60, 66 and switches 62, 64 and 68 may be had by reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings wherein is shown a schematic representation of a circuit usable in the instant invention. Starting with a source of power 72 we have a line 74 connected to a clutch motor 76 which in turn is in engagement with drive rolls 30 when current is flowing through the clutch motor 76. The flow of current through line 74 is controlled by a relay 78 which may be manually set to allow for the flow of current through line 74 and clutch motor 76 and electromagnetically moved to a nonconducting position as will be more clearly explained hereinafter.

Connected in parallel with line 74 is line 80 which connects switches 68, 62 and 64 in series with relay 78 and with a knife solenoid 82. Switch 68 is also capable of directing a flow of current through a line 84 having a lamp 86 therein. Lamp 86 may have suitable indicia printed thereon to indicate to the operator that the photographic apparatus is in a sheet reloading condition, i.e., that it is now time to insert another photosensitive sheet into the apparatus when the lamp is illuminated. Although in the present embodiment a lamp is shown as the indicating means, it should be obvious that any suitable indicating means may be energized by flow of current through line 84.

In operation of the photographic apparatus, the elements of the circuit of FIG. 2 are in the position shown, i.e., switch 64 is normally in a closed position, switch 62 is in a normally open position, switch 68 has a left pair of contacts in a closed position and relay 78 is normally in a nonconducting position. When it is desired to make a copy of an object placed on window 10, relay 78 is moved to the conducting position at substantially the same time as the shutter mechanism is tripped. Movement of relay 78 to the conducting position allows line 74 to conduct a flow of current from source 72 through line 74 and clutch motor 76 to start rotation of feed rolls 30. At this time no current is allowed to flow through line 80 because switch 62 is still in the open position. The exposed section of sheet 22 is moved upwardly by rolls 30 between cutter or knife 32 and anvil 34, between backing roll 70 and liquid applicator 54 where a supply of processing liquid is applied to the exposed section and between belts 36, 38. From between belts 36, 38 the exposed section passes around drum or discs 46 until the leading edge of the exposed section is detected by detecting element 58 which, as mentioned above, is connected to switch 62. When detecting element 58 detects the leading edge of the exposed section of sheet 22, it (the detecting element -8) moves switch 62 to a closed position thereby allowing a flow of current through line 80. The flow of current through line 80 activates knife solenoid 82 to thereby actuate knife 32 which severs the exposed section from the sheet 22 and simultaneously moves relay 78 to the nonconducting position stopping the flow of current through clutch motor 76 to thereby stop feed rolls 30. The severed exposed section is further advanced along its path of travel until detecting element 60 detects the leading edge of the severed section. Upon detecting the leading edge of said severed section, detecting element 60 moves switch 64 to an open position, thereby preventing any further activation of knife solenoid 82 until said section completely passes detecting element 60. Switch 62 remains in the closed position until the trailing end of the severed section of sheet 22 passes detecting element 58, at which time switch 62 is moved to its normally open position. Switch 64 will remain in the open position until the trailing end of the severed section has passed detecting element 60, at which time switch 64 will return to its normally closed position.

Accordingly, it is apparent that as long as detecting element 60 detects the severed exposed sheet, line 80 is maintained in an open condition, thereby preventing flow of current through the knife solenoid 82 regardless of whether switch 62 is again moved to the closed position as a result of its associated detecting element 58 detecting the leading edge of another exposed sheet. The exposed section finally emerges from the photographic apparatus via opening 50.

It will be noted that detecting element 66 maintains switch 68 in the position shown in FIG. 2 as long as detecting element 66 detects a tautness in sheet 22. Upon detecting the approach of the trailing edge of sheet 22 toward feed rolls 30, detecting element 66 moves switch 68 from the position shown in FIG. 2 wherein it conducts a flow of current through switches 62, 64, knife solenoid 82 and relay 78 to a position wherein current is directed through line 84 to lamp 86. Lamp 86 has suitable indicia located thereon such that an operator of the apparatus will know that a new sheet of photosensitive material 22 should be inserted into the apparatus when "the lamp is illuminated. Also, under the latter condition no current flows through the knife solenoid 82 or the relay 78.

Accordingly, it can be seen that when the leading edge of the last section of sheet 22 is detected by detecting element 58, the knife solenoid cannot be energized due to line 80 being open between switches 68 and 62; also, current is prevented from flowing through the winding of relay 78, thereby maintaining it in a conducting position to allow the feed rolls 30 to operate until the last section is transported through the apparatus. This ensures that the path of travel of subsequent sections of another sheet 22 will remain clear of any obstructions.

Although the switches 62, 64 and 68 are shown herein as being mechanically actuated, it should be clear that the invention is not limited as such. For example, the

means for detecting the presence of a section of the photosensitive material could be a photoresponsive cell and a suitable light source mounted on opposite sides of the path of travel of the sheet material for opening or closing appropriate relays.

What is claimed is:

1. Photographic apparatus for exposing successive sections of a photosensitive sheet to produce images therein comprising, in combination:

means defining a path for movement of each of said sections through said apparatus;

advancement means for moving said each section along said path;

cutter means positioned adjacent said path beyond said advancement means for severing said each section from the remainder of said sheet;

first detecting means located adjacent said path beyond said cutter means for detecting the approach of the leading edge of said each section and operatively coupled with said advancement means and said cutter means for deactivating said advancement means and activating said cutter means upon detecting said leading edge; and

second detecting means adjacent said path beyond said first detecting means for detecting said each section during movement thereof along said path past said second detecting means and disenabling said first detecting means to again activate said cutter means during movement of said each section along said path past said second detecting means.

2. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second detecting means comprise control elements located in said path for engagement by said each section.

3. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first detecting means comprise first normally open switching means and said second detecting means comprise second normally closed switching means, said first and second switching means being electrically connected in series with said cutter means.

4. Photographic apparatus for exposing successive sections of a photosensitive sheet to produce images therein comprising, in combination:

means defining a path for movement of each of said sections through said apparatus;

advancement means for moving said each section along said path;

cutter means positioned adjacent said path beyond said advancement means for severing said each section from the remainder of said sheet;

first normally open switching means located adjacent said path beyond said cutter means for detecting the approach of the leading edge of said each section and operatively coupled with said advancement means and said cutter means for deactivating said advancement means and activating said cutter means upon detecting said leading edge;

second normally closed switching means connected in series with said first normally open switching means and positioned adjacent said path beyond said first switching means for detecting said each section during movement thereof along said path past said second switching means and disenabling said first switching means to again activate said cutter means during movement of said each section along said path past said second switching means; and

electrical relay means movable between conducting and nonconducting positions for controlling operation of said advancement means, said first switching means being operatively coupled with said relay means for moving said relay means to said nonconducting position in response to detection of said leading edge of said each section.

5. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4, including third detecting means mounted adjacent said path ahead of said advancement means for detecting the approach of the trailing edge of said sheet toward said advancement means, said third detecting means comprising switching means connected in series with said first and second switching means for preventing a flow of current through said first and second switching means in response to detection of the approach of said trailing edge toward said advancement means.

6. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 5, including electrically energized indicating means for indicating a sheet reloading condition, said indicating means being coupled with the last-mentioned switching means for energizing said indicating means when said third detecting means detects the approach of said trailing edge toward said advancement means.

7. Photographic apparatus for exposing successive sections of a photosensitive sheet to produce images therein comprising, in combination:

means defining a path for movement of each of said sections through said apparatus;

advancement means for moving said each section along said path;

cutter means positioned adjacent said path beyond said advancement means for severing said each section from the remainder of said sheet;

first normally open switching means located adjacent said path beyond said cutter means for detecting the approach of the leading edge of said each section and operatively coupled with said advancement means and said cutter means for deactivating said advancement means and activating said cutter means upon detecting said leading edge;

second normally closed switching means connected in series with said first normally open switching means and positioned adjacent said path beyond said first switching means for detecting said each section during movement thereof along said path past said second switching means and disenabling said first switching means to again activate said cutter means during movement of said each section along said path past said second switching means; and

third switching means electrically coupled with said first and second switching means and including detecting means located adjacent said path ahead of said advancement means for detecting the presence of said sheet in said path ahead of said advancement means and responsive to the approach of the trailing edge of said sheet toward said advancement means for discontinuing the flow of current through said first and second switching means.

8. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7, including electrically energized indicating means for indicating a sheet reloading condition, said third switching means being electrically coupled with said indicating means and being responsive to the approach of said trailing edge of said sheet toward said advancement means for energizing said indicating means.

9. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 8, where'- in said third switching means comprises a single pole double throw switch including normally open and normally closed pairs of contacts coupled respectively with said first and second switching means and with said indicating means and a control element extending into said path and responsive to engagement with said sheet for holding open said normally closed contacts and holding closed said normally open contacts.

10. Photographic apparatus for exposing successive sections of a photosensitive sheet to produce images therein comprising, in combination:

means defining a path forvmovement of each of said sections through said apparatus;

advancement means for moving said each section along said path;

cutter means positioned adjacent said path beyond said advancement means for severing said each section from said sheet; and

first control means coupled with said advancement means and said cutter means and including first detecting means for detecting the approach of the trailing edge of said sheet toward said advancement means for maintaining said advancement means in an operative condition and preventing operation of said cutter means.

11. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 10, including second control means comprising second detecting means mounted adjacent said path beyond said first detecting means and responsive to the leading edge of said each section, said first and second control means being coupled with said cutter means for activating said cutter means upon said second detecting means detecting said leading edge of said each section.

12. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said first and second control means are electrically connected in series with said cutter means.

13. Photographic apparatus for exposing successive sections of a photosensitive sheet to produce images therein comprising, in combination:

means defining a path for movement of each of said sections through said apparatus;

advancement means for moving said each section along said path;

cutter means positioned adjacent said path beyond said advancement means for severing said each section from said sheet;

first control means coupled with said advancement means and said cutter means and including first detecting means for detecting the approach of the trailing edge of said sheet toward said advancement means for maintaining said advancement means in an operative condition and preventing operation of said cutter means;

second control means comprising second detecting means mounted adjacent said path beyond said first detecting means and responsive to the leading edge of said each section, said first and second control means being coupled with said cutter means for activating said cutter means upon said second detecting means detecting said leading edge of said each section; and

indicating means for indicating a sheet reloading condition, said first control means being coupled with said indicating means for activating said indicating means when said first detecting means detects the approach of said trailing edge of said sheet toward said advancement means.

14. Photographic apparatus for exposing successive sections of a photosensitive sheet to produce images therein comprising, in combination:

means defining a path for movement of each of said sections through said apparatus;

advancement means for moving said each section along said path;

cutter means positioned adjacent said path beyond said advancement means for severing said each section from said sheet;

first control means coupled with said advancement means and said cutter means and including first detecting means for detecting the approach of the trail ing edge of said sheet toward said advancement means for maintaining said advancement means in an operative condition and preventing operation of said cutter means; and

indicating means for indicating a sheet reloading condition, said first control means being coupled with said indicating means for activating said indicating 9 10 means when said first detecting means detects the NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner approach of said trailing edge of said sheet toward R A WINTERCORN Assistant Examiner said advancement means.

References Cited 5 355 66 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,181,420 5/1965 Rautbord et a1 355-13 X 3,289,532 12/1966 Baumgarten et a1 355-28 

